Show TEST associations OF GREAT BENEFIT the cow testing association la is the simplest surest and cheapest method for the rapid improvement 0 of dairy cows it affords the average dairyman an economical means of obtaining a record of how much each row cow produces and what it costs such records require regularity in testing and weighing 0 of milk and feed arid and a systematic form of keeping the data the difficulty of this work Is eliminated by the cow testing association which furnishes a more economical way of obtaining such records than it if each dairyman undertook to keep his own writes E M harmon in the farm life A cow testing association Is a group of farmers usually 26 who agree to operate cooperate co for the purpose of improving their dairy herds they form an association and hire a man whose duty it Is to weigh and test the milk and to keep a detailed record of the production of each cow in their herds together with the cost of production this man called the tester spends one day every month on the farm of each member where he weighs and tests the milk from each cow from these figures he be calculates the amount of milk and fat produced dating the month mon th and its value at the market price the tester also weighs and records the amount and kind of feed I 1 given each cow computes its value and estimates the total cost of feed for the month when this amount has been charged against the value of the milk and fat produced for that month the owner Is able to determine the profit ison or loss on each cow in ills his herd ile he then knows the amount returned for each dollar expended for fed and the exact cost of producing a pound of tat fat or pounds of milk the tester also assists in selecting feeds and figuring the most profitable rations he also offers sua suggestions estling on breeding management and other phases of the business as deemed advisable by the attitude of the member he will not make suggestions nor advocate changes for any farm unless lie feels that they will be welcomed by the owner the tester comes to the farm in the afternoon with his hig outfit with the owner he weighs and estimates the feed given each cow and at milking time they weigh and take a sample or the rn ilk from each cow the next morning these same operations opera eions are repeated the babcock test Is applied to the mixed sample representing the morning and evening milk of each cow the outfit Is washed and the necessary computations are made and recorded in the members herd book when this Is completed the tester goes on to the farm of 0 the next member it Is the duty of the members to keep as accurate an account of the milk produced and teed feed consumed between the visits of the tester as Is practical under ordinary farm conditions so that they may give reliable in information foti to the tester the cost of keeping records of the dairy herd Is one qt the smallest items of expense attached to the dairy farm and when once started it Is found to be simple easy and interesting most important por tant of all it is very profitable |